At right: Travis Reich, 9, and Kurtis Reich, 6, both of Pickford, fill up on pancakes at the Les Cheneaux Snowmobile Club’s Snowsfest Pancake Breakfast Saturday morning, February 19, in Cedarville. Hot competition between chili cooks and sled heads created the biggest attractions in downtown Cedarville last weekend. Snowsfest 2005 saw its Chili Cook-Off participation increase, with 20 entries, making it the biggest cook-off in recent memory. The highly anticipated Poker Run attracted 139 participants, most of whom completed the course through DeTour, Cedarville, Hessel, and Moran on snowmobile.

The events were only two of nearly 25 different activities offered to Les Cheneaux Islands residents and visitors Friday, February 18, through Sunday, February 20. Fair weather helped keep crowds steady throughout the weekend, with the exception of occasional wind gusts Saturday, and wind and heavy snowfall Sunday.

Snowsfest grew out of an air sled race in the early 1960s and a corresponding Winter Carnival. The event has evolved into a three-day festival hosted by the Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce and supported by local businesses and organizations, which donate prizes and money for the events. Activities are planned and staffed entirely by volunteers.

The Les Cheneaux Snowmobile Club hosts three events, including the snowmobile “safari,” which led more than 20 people on a tour of the Les Cheneaux Islands area. The safari was followed by a free hot-dog roast that fed approximately 70 people. The group started Saturday morning, bright and early, with a pancake and sausage breakfast at the group’s club house in Cedarville. The breakfast got off to a late start, owing to an electricity failure, but a generator helped members serve approximately 100 people by late morning. Snowmobile Club member Marshall Bean said trails have been good and the club has been grooming area trails every day over the past week, thanks to some freshly fallen snow.

“When it rained earlier this winter, we didn’t lose our base, so it’s been working out all right,” he said, adding that a group of 38 riders recently took a trip from Cedarville to Drummond Island.

“It was pretty interesting because there was nothing but sleds on the ferry on the way back from Drummond Island,” member Jean Sommers said.

Hundreds of snowmobilers were pleased by a fresh layer of snow on the trails.

Synopses and winners of various Snowsfest competitions follow:

On-Ice Snow Statue Contest: Coordinator Terrie Milligan fought weather conditions to create an event that included all the businesses, even those that couldn’t make a snow statue. The snowless days in the weeks preceding Snowsfest prompted organizers to create a sign and window decorating contest. Businesses answered the call, with 14 local businesses making creative window displays. Some, like Cedarville Inn’s First Place display, extended to the outdoors. Cedarville Inn’s display featured a towering gumball machine indoors, while gumballs appeared to pour out of the machine and into the snow in front of the building. The Inn won a traveling plaque. Runners-up included UP State Credit Union’s whimsical candy-covered windows and chocolate bar signs, and Autore Oil and Central Savings Bank, which both tied for third place.

In the snow statue competition, Pammi’s Restaurant in Cedarville won first place and a traveling plaque for its M&M display. Four businesses created snow statues this year.

Cedarville Middle School Student Council won first place and a cash prize for creating a frosty version of the children’s game, “Candyland.” Theirs was the only statue created on the Cedarville Bay ice, where most Snowsfest activities take place.

Dog Show: Cyndi and Cory Soderlund, owners of Doggy Styles of Cedarville, awarded cash prizes to the winners of the various contests in the dog show. Jack Zyble of Hessel and the family dog, “Sara,” won the Best Dressed award of $25 for her willingness to wear a costume that looked like a bag of M&M candies. Audrey Koster of Hessel and “Honey” won $35 for completing the obstacle course with the most skill. Marina Brown of St. Ignace and her dog “Stitch” won $35 in the best trick contest. All participants received a bag of treats for signing up. Holly Sherlund and Kristi Steffan of Cedarville judged the event.

Chili Cook-Off: Dana Torsky and Kathy Mudloff hosted perhaps the largest Chili Cook-Off in the history of the event, with 20 competitors bringing chili to the contest. Harbour Market of Hessel won the commercial division and Rob Burger of Cedarville won the residential division with his unusual “white” chili, made with a chicken base.

Poker Run: Poker Run attracted 139 participants, down about 10 from last year. Bill Watson of New Baltimore won $500 for the best hand. Brad Koster of Hessel took home $300 for getting the second best hand, and Jonas Altmaier won $200 for the third best hand. The Worst Hand award and plaque was given to Lee Gregory of Sault Ste. Marie.

Cardboard Sled Races: Sunday’s Cardboard Sled races attracted 22 homemade sleds that ranged in construction from the elaborate, wood-based. Building on the Snowsfest “candy” theme, competitors brought gingerbread houses, giant candy bars, and boxes decorated with peppermints and licorice sticks. Prizes like sleds, toys, soda, food certificates, and other items were awarded to nearly everyone who participated. Winners of the Best Crash award received First Aid kits donated by the Clark Township Ambulance Auxiliary.

The Best All-Carboard Sled awards went to Rachel Davis in a “Jet Puff Marshmallow” box and Jessica Davis in a “Hershy Kiss.” The girls are sisters from Ann Arbor. The “Best Sleds Representing Business or Organization” were Sam Bohling’s “Flyin’ Junkyard” and Tanner Howland’s “Candyland Revenger.” “Best Crash” honors went to Ashlee Mielke, Liz Merchberger, and Jack Rusinowski.

Sled Race Results:

Age 1-4: First Place - Jewel LaForest of Hessel in “Jewell of Hessel;” Second Place - Jack Rusinowski of Cedarville in “Jack in the Box.” Age 5-7: First Place - Teddy Bowlby of Cedarville in “Hershey’s Kiss;” Second Place - Kamen Labinski of Cedarville in “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup;” Third Place - Hannah Terrill in “Hershey Kiss.” Age 8-12: First Place - Tanner Howland of Cedarville in “Candyland Revenger;” Second Place - Zane Rusinowski of Cedarville in “Hot Dog;” Third Place Kayla Merchberger of Cedarville in “Tootsie Rock and Roll.” Age 13-Adult: First Place - Sam Bohling of Cedarville in “Flyin’ Junkyard;” Second Place - Liz Merchberger of Cedarville in “Tootsie Rock and Roll;” Third Place - Phil Rusinowski and Eric Kozma, both of Cedarville.